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Studies in Sociology 

SOCIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPH NO. 10 



Vol. Ill 



DECEMBER 1918 



No. 2 



EDITED BY EMORY S. BOGARDtTS 
Department of Sociology, University of Southern California 



SOCIAL THOUGHT 

IN AMERICAN FICTION 

(1910-1917) 



BY 



HAZEL WILKINSON, A.M. 



Publiihed by the Southern California Sociological Society 

University of Southern California 

at the University of Southern California Press 

Los Angeles, California 



0^ C 






Social Thought in American Fiction 

(1910-1917) 
By hazel WILKINSON, A. M.* 

OUTLINE 

I. Extent of social thought in fiction. 
II. Types of social fiction dealing with various social prob- 
lems : — 

1. The problem of general social unrest. 

2. Labor problems. 

3. Socialization of the modern church. 

4. Immigration and Americanization. 

5. Criminology and liquor problems. 

6. Socialization of the newspaper and other problems. 
III. The value of social thought in fiction. 

Social thought has always been present in fiction to a certain 
extent, but not until recent years has it held a definite place. 
During the last few decades there has been developing a social 
consciousness which has led an ever increasing number of people 
to become interested in the social conditions surrounding them, and 
in the consequent social problems. This interest is naturally re- 
flected in the books which are written to attract their attention. 
In almost all eases, this tendency results merely in the insertion, 
here and there, of a paragraph concerning some problem of social im- 
port. There are certain books, however, which do more than this, 
and whose entire plots are built upon a frame- work of modern 

'Editor's Note: — The author of this monograph received the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts in 1917 from the University of Southern California and 
the degree of Master of Arts in 1918 from the same institution. The 
monograph is a part of the thesis which was submitted by Miss Wilkinson 
in candidacy for the degree of Master of Arts. Miss Wilkinson was 
graduate Assistant in Sociology (1917-1918) in the University of Southern 
California. 



sociological thought. It is with these last that this monograph is 
particularly concerned. 

In making a study of social thought in fiction, many interest- 
ing questions arise. In the first place, from the standpoint of 
quantity, what place does social thought hold in fiction? Can an 
estimate be made of the general percentage of books in which social 
problems figure? What is the value from a scientific standpoint 
of the material found? Lastly, careful consideration should be 
given to the possible place that fiction may hold in the spread of 
social thought in the future. 

The question of the extent of social thought in fiction will 
be discussed first. It is impossible, in a limited space, to cover 
the entire field of fiction which has appeared within the last few 
years. Consequently, the writer has selected as nearly as pos- 
sible a representative group of books, and from these determined 
the percentage which are social in character. Such a group is 
found in the lists of best selling fiction, popularly known as the 
"six best sellers." On this basis, then, a survey has been made 
of these books as listed in the monthly reports of the Bookman 
from 1910 to 1917 inclusive. 

Such a survey brings out many points of value. Each year 
there are the titles of from twenty to twenty-seven books which 
appear in these lists. Some of them hold their places for only one 
month, others appear for several months, still others almost a 
year. In the eight years which have been considered here, 194 
books were listed at one time or another. Of these, twenty-one 
I would class as social in character, that is 10.8 per cent. The 
proportion of these which appeared each year is indicated in the 
following table : 



YEAR 


NO. OF BOOKS 


SOCIAL FICTION 


PER CENT 


1910 


27 


2 


7.4 


1911 


20 


1 


5 


1912 


22 








1913 


26 


4 


15.4 


1914 


24 


1 


4.2 


1915 


25 


4 


16 


1916 


25 


5 


20 


1917 


25 


4 


16 



Syrs. 194 21 10.8% 

In considering this table, several significant points may be 
noted. In the first place, except for the year 1914, there has 






been a decided increase in the proportion of social fiction, indi- 
cated both by the number of books and the percentage per year. 
Also the fact that the general average is 10.8 per cent, of the 
total number of books is important. This is not a large per- 
centage in itself, but it is noteworthy when we consider the 
broad field of fiction and the many types of story which are 
written. 

The subject matter with which these twenty-one books dealt 
was varied. The largest number, five, considered the problem 
of capital and labor in its different phases. Next in number 
were four books which concerned themselves with aspects of 
the problem of the family as a social institution. Three were 
general in character. Two were "problem" novels. Two dealt 
with the social role of the church. The remainder represented 
single examples of the broad scope of social thought in fiction, 
from the Negro problem to that of crime. The above classifica- 
tion of social fiction shows the largest number of books to have 
been written on the subject of capital and labor. The same 
pruportiun holds true in the field as a whole. The more specific 
and less commonly known social problems have only recently 
begun to receive attention in fiction. 

The actual value of the social thought contained in fiction 
can be determined only by a closer study of the individual books. 
These will be grouped according to the social problem with which 
they deal ; a few of the most important and most typical will be 
discussed in detail. The classes thus formed cover a wide range 
of thought, first— The problem of general social unrest ; second- 
Labor problems; third— Socialization of the modern church; 
fourth— Immigration and Americanization; fifth — Criminology 
and liquor problems ; sixth — Socialization of the newspaper and 
other problems. 

(1) The first group deals with the general social unrest. 
Probably the most popular subject in this field, from the stand- 
point of attack, is that of so-called "big business." Many books 
have been written condemning this prominent aspect of modern 
life. 

Such a story is found in Booth Tarkington's book The Tur- 
moil. Mr. Tarkington shows big business to be the predominating 
aim and aspiration of our modern life. He approaches the prob- 

3 



lem by means of contrasting characters; a father to whom 
business for bigness alone is the main spring of happiness; and 
his youngest son, whom poor health has kept free from this in- 
fluence, and has caused to value the finer things of life more 
highly. The younger son possesses a sense of the individual's 
responsibility to society, but because of his weakness of body, his 
sense of obligation is intangible and unexpressed. When, finally, 
through the death of his brothers, he too is forced to take his 
place in his father's business, he proves to be as efficient as his 
brothers had been. In his mind, however, lies a vision of a 
different kind of business which he would bring about, a business, 
not for bigness alone, but for the benefit of those whose toil 
makes it possible, as well as for the man at the top. 

The social thought is suggested by the story, rather than 
plainly stated. The author has, however, given a striking pic- 
ture in which the suggestion can not be missed. The worth of the 
material lies largely in the true values of life it portrays. It 
shows the inadequacy of advancement and poAver secured at the 
expense of society as a whole. 

The novels which fall under this classification are for the 
most part general in character. They are not, however, of less 
value because of this fact. They are particularly important in 
their emphasis upon the false standards which, in modern society, 
have made money the criterion of social standing, regardless of 
intellectual, or even moral fitness. Already there is developing a 
social consciousness which, it is to be hoped, such stories will 
help to advance. 

(2) A second large group of books deals with labor' prob- 
lems. One of the most interesting, and possibly the most valuable, 
of these books is Ernest Poole's The Harbor. The story falls 
naturally into three parts. The first part pictures the harbor 
of New York as seen through the eyes of a sensitive small boy 
who goes from his home from time to time, without the knowledge 
of his parents, to play amidst the fascinating, unfamiliar scenes 
of the water-front. In this part Mr. Poole depicts life among the 
poor of the harboi' district; he describes the great, dormant, 
downtrodden masses, and shows how impossible it is for their 
children to build up high ideals and ambitions, when the sur- 
rouneiings forced upon them by our industrial system, "the reali- 

4 



ties of life," Mr. Poole calls these, tend constantly to tear them 
down. 

In the second part, he shows the harbor as seen through the 
eyes of an adult. It is no longer awe-inspiring, but a place which 
must be altered. This great change, he believes, will come 
through the rule of efficiency. There must be great minds to lead 
the way. He places his faith in the combination of a social 
viewpoint and efficiency, and believes that the city should scien- 
tifically plan and rebuild the harbor district. 

The third part of the story again shows the harbor, but from 
a still different viewpoint. It is now shown as seen through the 
eyes of a man in close touch with the life of its people. This 
man tells of a great strike which gives promise of a people 
awakened, and shows the harbor which he feels can be purified 
only by its own force, the power of the masses who comprise it. 
He shows conditions to be such that, if they remain as they are 
today, civil war between two classes will be the inevitable out- 
come. 

The general problem of the book is that of capital and labor, 
with pai'ticular consideration of the condition of the masses. 
The standpoint is that of the group rather than of a particular 
individual. The method of treatment is sincere and emphatic, 
but not melodramatic. The material is valuable for several rea- 
sons. It gives an accurate picture of conditions as they exist 
about New York Harbor, something which it is impossible to do 
in a form more acceptable to the general public than fiction. 
Again, the story suggests two modes of remedy : that from above, 
efficiency; and that from below, revolution. The greatest weakness 
of the book is that it suggests no possibility of a middle course 
between the two mentioned. 

A very striking and unusual book is that by Henry Sydnor 
Harrison, V. V's Eyes. This story centers around the life and 
development of Carlye Heth, a rich and beautiful girl, one who 
is, however, thoroughly selfish and self -centered ; and Dr. V. 
Vivian, or Mr. V. V., a "slum" doctor. Mr. V. V. devotes his 
time, free of charge, to those poor inhabitants of the "slums." 
Dr. V. Vivian is, furthermore, a man who lives for others, pat- 
terning his life after that of John the Baptist. He sincerely 
believes in the good will of humanity, and that the "Huns," as 

5 



he terms the unthinking rich, only need awakening. It has been 
said that in portraying the life of Dr. V. V., Mr. Harrison has 
intended to show the character of a modern Christ. Upon this 
basis, the story takes on added significance, although without this 
interpretation it is very impressive. This conception, too, ex- 
plains Mr. Harrison's purpose when, in the end. Dr. V. V, is 
killed just as he has attained his desire and proved his point by 
showing that one family of "Huns," at least, are capable of 
awakening. 

The book also deals with the problem of capital and labor. 
The author seeks to find a common meeting place for rich and 
poor, where the ideal will coincide with the real. Particularly 
does this novel show the need of improved factory laws and child 
labor legislation, and the necessity of an awakening of public 
opinion. The story is that of an individual, but through this 
individual we perceive group problems and needs. In the author's 
portrayal of Dr. V. V. we find a character which is of value as a 
social example to others. The whole story makes a strong and 
convincing plea for social betterment. 

The books heretofore mentioned have dealt with the general 
problem of capital and labor ; there is a smaller group which tells 
of conditions in specific industries. The most important, as M^ell 
as the most interesting, is Upton Sinclair's recent book, King Coal. 
A young American of the upper class, Hal Warner, desires to 
learn at first hand the condition of the coal miners in order to 
help them, and decides to seek employment under the fictitious 
name of Joe Smith. He finds difficulty even in entering the 
camps; not knowing the usual procedure, he is immediately sus- 
pected of being a professional organizer or strike leader. After 
finally securing employment he learns with growing horror the 
shameless, inhuman way in which the mine owners subjugate and 
then exploit their employees. His great sympathy and resolution 
to help these people earns for Joe Smith a place among his fellow 
workers. Later a terrible and unnecessary mine disaster leads 
the Avorkmen to revolt against the company. The revolt is un- 
successful as far as actual permanent gains are concerned, but it 
leaves on the hearts of a once heterogeneous group, a unity of 
purpose and a group solidarity which will count when another 
and a more propitious time for revolt arrives. HalUs summer 



experiment leaves him with a resolve to dedicate his life to the 
purpose of improving such conditions as he has seen. 

Outside the evident sincerity shown in the book, Mr. Sinclair, 
in a postscript, has explained the fundamental facts on which 
the story is based, and has given his sources of information for 
these facts. It is seldom that truths concerning conditions in 
coal mines are brought to light in so readable and popular a form 
as Mr. Sinclair's novel. 

(3) The best book on the subject of the socialization of the 
church is probably Winston Churchill's The Inside of the Cup. 
Through the personal struggle of an individual, a minister, Mr. 
Churchill has emphasized the failure of the old way and the 
possibilities of the new. The author's treatment of the story 
shows that he is not writing lightly upon the subject, but has 
thought deeply before expressing his opinion. He has used his 
characters to express at length his ideas on the subject. The 
entire story revolves al)out one central idea, from which arise 
other questions of social import. The material presented is 
valuable. Mr. Churchill has described a great church, located in 
close proximity to one of the worst streets of a large city, but 
utterly failing to improve the conditions of this section. The 
church is dominated by the powerful few ; those of social position 
are welcome; there is no room for the poor. Furthermore, the 
"few" demand strictly orthodox preaching, with vice kept in the 
background, and the rights of the masses unrecognized. With the 
gradual awakening of the preacher to the failure of his ministry, 
arises the conviction that the church must change in order to 
meet the needs of a new society. True Christianity is more than 
dead dogmas. The church should be made the dominant factor 
in the lives of the people. It should help them to meet the prob- 
lems of life, not repel them by cold theology. Mr. Churchill has 
suggested another social problem, the evil of tenements, especially 
to children, who are learning vice and contracting disease under 
crowded living conditions. 

(4) The novels which are written on the subject of irami- 
gratinn and Americanization may be classified in two main 
groups : those which portray the problems found in connection 
with foreigners who came to this country to make their homes, 



and those which depict the problems of the Negro who has long 
lived here. 

Almost all of the books of the first group are written from 
the standpoint of the attitude of America toward the immigrants. 
One of the most valuable is Edith Miniter's Our Natupski Neigh- 
bors. Kani Natupski, his wife, and children come to live in West 
Holly, a small town in Massachusetts. They buy a farm and 
settle down to live according to the standards and customs of 
the old country. Their advent into the community causes a 
flurry of comment and criticism ; they give "West Holly its direct 
contact with the immigration problem. Both the newcomers and 
the to^\Tis-people fail utterly to comprehend each other. The 
foreigners cannot understand why the Americans waste space on 
flower gardens, and the Americans cannot understand why the 
Polanders will live according to standards which provide for 
nothing beyond mere existence. 

The second part of the book deals with the Americanization 
of the children. It shows the slowly developing realization of a 
difference between their home and the homes of others, and their 
attempts to change the old for the new. Their Americanization 
comes largely through education which, when they are young 
the law forces upon them, but which is later voluntarily sought. 

This book, in its treatment of a typical alien group, graph- 
ically represents a situation common in many communities today. 
America is shown as a country in which no preparation has been 
made for the reception of immigrants. They come here, but we, 
instead of helping them to secure the highest ideals, leave them 
to work out blindly their own adjustments. In the second place, 
the story describes the process of assimilation of the younger 
generation with education as the leading factor. 

Another story, Elias Tobenkin's Witte Arrives portrays the 
life of a Russian Jewish boy who came to this country when ten 
years of age. It is a simple, unscientific portrayal of his intro- 
duction to American life and customs. The very ease with which 
the story moves detracts from its value so far as the immigration 
problem is concerned. The boy encounters no particular difficul-^ 
ties in his life in the new world. The material gives an insight 
into the home life of a high class Jewish family. When we know 
people in their homes, we are better able to judge them. Mr. 

s 



Tobenkin attacks the problem of race-prejudice, and of the in- 
equality of capital and labor. 

While many Southern stories have been written, only a few 
bear directly upon the social problems which confront the South 
today. Octave Thanet's By Inheritance is both constructive and 
valuable. Miss Agatha Danforth, a wealthy New England 
woman, is interested in the Negro. Her interest is further stim- 
ulated by her liking for a mulatto boy whom she has been helping 
through Harvard. This young man, Charles Danton, has almost 
persuaded her to found an institution for the higher education 
of the Negro. At this time she is called South to the bedside of 
her nephew who is ill. She takes this opportunity to make a 
direct study of the Southern Negro, and is very much surprised 
by the conditions. She finds a people living at a distinctly dif- 
ferent level of civilization than their white brothers. The low 
moral standards have not yet developed to the higher level of a 
more advanced civilization. She also finds a people who are 
often childlike in their judgments, ruled more completely by 
superstition and emotion than by reason. Charles Danton also 
comes South and sees, as does Miss Danforth, the weaknesses of 
his race. In him we find described the utterly hopeless situation 
of a man who, through no fault of his own, is ostracized from the 
society of his intellectual equals, and who is far above the level of 
his own people. As a result of her investigation Miss Danforth, 
and Danton also, has reached the conclusion that book education 
is not the solution neoded for the Negro problem, as Negroes are not 
yet ready for it. The suggestion is offered that industrial train- 
ing is probably more appropriate to their capabilities and needs. 

Without overshadowing the plot. Miss Thannel has rather 
thoroughly analyzed a serious situation. The conclusions which 
she has reached seem justifiable. The mass of Southern Negroes 
are not yet ready for higher education. Of equal value are the 
sketches given of the lives of some of these people, which create 
in the reader a more friendly, tolerant attitude of mind. If all 
people could consider the Negro in the spirit which Miss Thanet 
has employed, this in itself would help to solve the problem. 

(5) The books dealing with the subjects of criminology and 
liquor have been grouped together because almost invariably the 
two problems are found co-existent. The novels which deal with 

9 



criminology are of two general types: first, those which expose 
prison conditions; second, those which attack society in its atti- 
tude toward the criminal. The Star Rover by Jack London is 
probably the most impressive of the first group because of the 
gruesome facts it presents. It is the story of the life of a man 
imprisoned at San Quentin ; it pictures the horrors of prison life, 
the dull monotony, the cells, the dark rooms, the straight jacket, 
and the many other torturous contrivances of the old prison 
system. It shows the imperative need of prison investigation, 
and reform of conditions. The scenes are depicted effectively. 
The reader suffers with the prisoner. The picture so drawn is, 
fortunately, of passing value, for such conditions are being 
changed. 

That society is largely responsible for the making of many 
criminals, is a phase of the problem of crime which is empha- 
sized in several unpleasant novels. One of these is Nathan 
Kussy's The Abyss. A young Jewish boy, left alone in the 
world through the death of his mother, is thrown among the 
criminals of Mulberry Bend. He is finally detected in crime 
and sentenced to sixty days' imprisonment. From this time on, 
the boy is spotted by all the detectives on the force. He makes 
an earnest effort to i-eform, but having once acquired the stigma 
of a jail sentence, his efforts are in vain. He is ultimately driven 
back into a life of crime because society will not give him a 
chance. Mr. Kussy has based his plot upon an important social 
problem and his revelation of conditions is a step toward securing 
a needed change in public opinion. 

One of the best prohibition novels is that by James Hay, Jr., 
The Man Who Forgot. The prologue shows the man staggering 
into a rescue mission, delirious from continued drinking, and 
with all memory of his past life blotted from his mind. Some 
years later "John Smith" appears in Washington, D. C, as a 
reform leader for prohibition. He meets great opposition in his 
work from the liquor interests, which use every means at their 
command, including bribery, to keep him from securing the pas- 
sage of a constitutional amendment providing for national pro- 
hibition. Regardless of their efforts, he finally succeeds in his 
attempt through an unusual plan. He goes to men of wealth 
M^hose sons have been ruined by liquor and, through their interest 

10 



in the cause, secures one million dollars. With the money thus 
obtained he brings people from all over the continent to Wash- 
ington. On a certain day they assemble before the Capitol and 
by their very number force Congress to consider their desires and 
pass the bill. 

Throughout the book the author bases his main points upon 
statistical records. The problem, as he conceives it, deals with 
the evil effects of drink and the possibility of doing away with 
the liquor business through nation-wide prohibition. The data 
on the subject are unusually complete. The effects of liquor, 
economic, moral, social, and physical, are discussed. Then a solu- 
tion for the problem is offered, which includes: first, national 
prohibition of the traffic, manufacture, and sale of alcoholic 
liquors ; second, provision of something to take its place ; that is, 
recreation in all forms; third, provision of laws that will insure 
better housing, sanitation, and so forth. The author recognizes 
the fact that prohibition to be effective should include more than 
the abolition of the liquor traffic, and believes that his conception 
of prohibition would make it "the corner stone of a brand new 
charity and citizenship." 

(6) There remain for consideration varied groups of fiction 
treating of widely divergent subjects. 

Several novels which show the possibilities of a socialized 
newspaper are of particular interest. 

Samuel Adams' The Clarion opens with an introduction 
which presents Hal Certain, a small boy, traveling with his father, 
an iterant patent medicine dealer. Many years pass. The story 
opens again with Mr. Surtaine — no longer "Certain" — a man 
sixty years of age and now many times a millionaire, because of 
the ever increasing popularity of his many "false" remedies. 

Hall Surtaine has just returned from Europe where he has 
been at school and acquired social ideals. Because of his absence, 
he is entirely ignorant of the nature of his father's business. 
When an article appears in the Clarion, a local newspaper, 
exposing the "Certain Fake," Hal, whose father has just given 
him $250,000 buys the paper, both because of an interest in that 
line of work, and of a direct intention to refute the slander. Hal 
then starts on his career as an editor, having decided to publish 
an absolutely honest social newspaper. To accomplish this end he 

11 



enlists the sympathy and co-operation of the staff. The remainder 
of the book deals with two main propositions; the difficulties of 
running a social newspaper, and the possibilities for good which 
such a paper offers. Hal finds that the worst tendency is to show 
favoritism for one's friends or even one's family. He meets his 
greatest problem of this kind when he finally realizes the fraudu- 
lent character of his father's business. 

Again, an impartial, honest press is sure to lose many of its 
advertisers, who furnish the main financial support of a newspa- 
per. It is also disappointing to find that just those people whom 
a social newspaper is designed to help are often the most bitter 
toward it. The possibilities of such a paper are shown in the 
account of what the Clarion did to improve local conditions. First, 
it exposed housing conditions and then through the publication 
of owners' names secured immediate action in the matter. Sec- 
ond, it refused to publish advertisements which are framed for 
the direct purpose of misleading the poor and ignorant, such as 
patent medicine and worthless stock advertisements. Third, a 
spreading plague, which had been hidden for fear it would inter- 
fere with the financial returns of "Old Home Week," was 
brought to the attention of the public. 

A critical analysis of the book shows that the author has a 
full appreciation of the problems of the newspaper world. The 
place of a social newspaper in the community and the difficulties 
of securing actual freedom of the press, are the chief questions 
that are discussed. The value of the material lies in the picture 
given of the practical problems of a newspaper M'hich tries to 
free itself from the domination of big business, an infiuence which 
makes reliable news in all matters impossible. Constructively, the 
book shows how a socialized newspapei- can wield a tremendous 
power for good. It creates a desire on the part of the reader 
for an honest press. In the contrast between Hal and his father 
the reader can feel the presence of a new social attitude. 

There is at least one book of recent American fiction which 
treats of certain social [)linses of rural life. This is The Brown 
Mouse by Herbert Quick. The principal emphasis is laid upon 
the fact that country schools, patterned after city schools, do 
not meet the needs of the pupils or of the rural community. Jim 
Irwin realizes this weakness ; he accepts a position as district school 

12 



teacher, and proceeds to reconstruct the school program accord- 
ing to his idea of what a rural education should mean. The 
courses of instruction, while covering the same general fields as 
tliose of the city school, are of practical value to the country boy. 
For example, arithmetic is taught through solving mathematical 
problems of farm life. In this way the children not only learn 
principles and methods, but serve the community as a whole. 
Every line of study in the model school is arranged according to 
this system, Mr. Quick has attacked an important rural social 
problem in a constructive way. 

An extensive group of books portrays the general problems of 
the less fortunate classes in society. Dear Enemy, written by Jean 
Webster, deals with the reform of an orphanage. Sallie McBride, 
}i college graduate, is put in charge of an orphanage by a girl friend 
who was at one time an inmate of the institution. This friend, Judy, 
the heroine of Mips Welister's book, Daddy Long Legs, gives the 
money by which John Grior Home is made into a model institu- 
tion. The book presents many socially useful suggestions for an 
i<leal children's home, and arouses in the reader a desire to investi- 
gate existing conditions. 

Another story, Kate Bosher's People Like That, emphasizes 
woman's responsibility for her sisters, A wealthy young woman 
makes her home for a time among the poor people of her city, in 
order to live as they do and to understand their problems. While 
there she comes in contact with several girls who are leading im- 
Dioral lives. In her endeavor to help these girls, she discovers that 
the majority of them who are living by immoral practices, are doing 
so, not because of a desire for such a life, but because they are 
forced into it. One of the common causes of their downfall is 
misplaced confidence in wealthy young men, A more fundamental 
cause, the one which Mrs. Bosher wishes to emphasize, is that 
"good" women are largely responsible for the whole situation. 
They knowingly overlook the weaknesses and indulgences of their 
husbands and sons. If "good" women and girls would ostracize 
the men who live a double life, and would demand a single standard 
of conduct, the men would be forced to change their ways. 

A fitting close to this section of the monograph is found in Mrs. 
Charlotte P. Gilman's Moving the Monntain. In this book Mrs, Gil- 
man visualizes a world in which nearly all social problems have 
been solved. This new world which she has created she calls a 

18 



"baby Utopia." The marvelous change described has all come 
about in a single generation, A man who for thirty years was lost 
among the tribes of Tibet, was found by his sister. Together they re- 
turn to the United States. On the trip and after they arrive, she 
attempts to explain to him the new conditions and the causes for 
them. 

There is no longer an immigration problem. Immigrants are 
required to come up to a certain standard, physically, mentally, and 
morally; they are helped to reach this standard through instruc- 
tion. A definite eugenics program has been put into practice, and 
scientific methods of child culture have been adopted. Labor prob- 
lems are settled through a co-operative organization of work. The 
necessity of long hours and under pay has been abolished. Every- 
body must work two hours a day, but almost all people are ambitious 
and voluntarily work four hours. Women take their places in all 
kinds of industry, but lose none of their femininity by it. Crime in 
the old sense is rare, because the improved social conditions, health, 
and equal distribution of wealth, have removed many forms of 
temptation. Prisons no longer exist. Jail confinement is never 
practiced, except as a form of quarantine. 

Three main causes for this new civilization are given. One of 
these is a new religion: "Work is social service, social service is 
religion;" God is an accepted fact. Another cause is education, not 
to supply information or develop qualities, but to improve and de- 
velop society through the growth of ' ' social spirit — and body. ' ' The 
last, and perhaps the most important factor, is the new position of 
women. Heretofore the world has been a man-made world. The 
standards of men have ruled. Now women are on an equal footing ; 
they have refused to accept the double standard and in making a 
single standard applicable to all persons, they have forced the men 
to rise to woman's level. Women simply refuse to marry or asso- 
ciate with men who live double lives. Underlying these three causes 
is one fundamental, basic principle, namely, that ideals are the real 
governing force in society. The changes that have occurred are due 
to changes of mind. They could have been made long ago had 
people desired. Mrs. Oilman makes her strongest point in con- 
nection with the new attitude toward eugenics, immigration, and 
labor problems. The greatest weakness lies in the advocacy of inde- 
pendence in personal careers, to a point where the members of a 
family are scattered throughout the country, with an over-emphasis 
on specialization. 



III. 

Certain of the more important phases of this monograph may 
be summarized. Ten and eight-tenths per cent, of the "best sellers" 
from 1910 to 1917, inclusive, contained extensive social thought. 
While this proportion is not large, it is significant, as the field of 
fiction is broad and the requirements for inclusion in the list were 
strict. Many of the books not selected undoubtedly contain much 
that is valuable from the sociological standpoint. 

The yearly increase in percentage disclosed by the same survey 
is without doubt indicative of the tendency in the whole field, al- 
though probably not in the same proportion. In any ease these 
jiercentages, both yearly and total, are encouraging in that they 
indicate a definite and steadily increasing interest of the people as 
;i whole in vital human problems. 

An estimate of the preparation which the author has had 
which qualifies him to write social fiction may be made. Few 
nuthors who write on these subjects are trained sociologists or so- 
cial workers. Certain exceptions may be made as in the case of 
P>nest Poole or Upton Sinclair, w^ho have made life studies of so- 
cial conditions. Moreover, where the stories go deeply into a specific 
problem or attempt to offer a solution for it, adequate preparation 
is usually shown either in the subject-matter itself, or in the per- 
sonal history of the man. On the other hand, nearly all authors are 
content with treating their subjects in a general manner, attempt- 
ing only to portray conditions which are anti-social in character. 
For the most part these books show sincere thought and apprecia- 
tion of the problems presented. It is doubtful whether the inten- 
tion of the author, except in a few cases, is anything more than to 
M-rite a commercially salable novel. While it is not contended that 
the writers are mercenary, yet only a few have in mind the definite 
])urpose of spreading social thought. 

Almost all the problems common to sociology have been pre- 
sented, at least in certain aspects, in fiction. The trend of thought 
seems to be in the direction of discussing specific problems rather 
than general social conditions. Within the specific groups, how- 
ever .there are still broad fields to be covered. 

Another point to be considered is to determine the relative 
prominence of the individual and the group aspect in the stories. 
The fact that the books under discussion are novels indicates in 
Itself that few deal directly with the group. Nevertheless, there 

15 



are certain books in which the individual's problems are closely 
interwoven with group problems. Among such stories may be 
found some of the most valuable books in social fiction. Upton Sin- 
clair 's King Coal is an example. The larger portion of social fic- 
tion treats of the individual as typical of the group. In presenting 
criminological and related problems a more effective method cannot 
be found, but the value of many stories in other groups would be 
greatly enhanced by the introduction of the group aspect. In most 
of the books discussed, the lives of the characters, or the situations 
in which they are involved, are directly concerned with definite 
social problems. A few exceptions to this are found where the 
author uses his characters merely to give a story interest and fills 
in the background with discussions of social conditions. 

In general, the method of treatment of these subjects is sincere 
and not melodramatic. A few books may be criticized as being 
somewhat highly colored, but in many cases this disadvantage is 
offset by the added vividness secured. 

The value of the material to sociology may now be considered. 
Of most importance are the facts which are presented and the prob- 
lems that are suggested. This material is constructive, not in the 
direct sense, but because it educates the public. Public opinion 
must be aroused before needed reforms can be made. In a few 
instances solutions are offered, but the value in these cases depends 
largely upon the training of the author. In stories dealing with 
labor problems the tendency is to offer solutions which are radical, 
even revolutionary, and which cannot be accepted by sociologists. 
Where remedies have been suggested in connection with other prob- 
Ims, they have been worthy of scientific consideration. While the 
social materials that are presented in fiction have a very definite 
value, they are small in quantity, and as yet can give only a compara- 
tively slight impulse to the spread of social thought. 

The author who writes avowedly social novels is inclined to 
make his books rather long and didactic. The average reader who 
seeks relaxation for a short period of time will not select such stories. 
Public sentiment is reflected in the attitude of critics who condemn 
many of these novels as tracts. There is a decided tendency, which 
constitutes a weakness, toward the combination of social thought and 
fiction to the detriment of the fiction. Either the authors need to 
change their methods, or the average reading public needs to he 
educated to a point higher than the present level, before the worth 
of social fiction will be fully recognized. 

16 



The third general question is, what place can fiction hold in the 
future spread of social thought? The field, in some respects, would 
seem illimitable, that is, of course, if the present weaknesses are 
overcome. Opportunity for doing great social service work is open 
to the writers of fiction. Through fiction as a medium, a reading 
public can be reached which can be approached in no other way, 
outside the short story and the press. Fiction will find its strongest 
fort in the presentation of facts. Solutions for problems may be 
offered, but there is a danger that these will not be commendable. 
If there can be developed a corps of traind sociological novelists, 
then fiction may present solutions as well as conditions. 

In any case, the chief function of social fiction, both at pres- 
ent and in the future, is to arouse thought on all questions con- 
cerning the welfare of society, and by this stimulus to contribute to 
the betterment of conditions. There is no reason why stories based 
on sound social principles, and presenting facts of the greatest pub- 
lic value, cannot be made as interesting as purely imaginative ma- 
terial. Students of today, who will be the writers of tomorrow, 
should make literature and social service co-operating agents. 



17 



ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Bibliography of American Fiction Which Deals with Social Prob- 
lems 1910 to 1917 (Inclusive)^ 

I. General Social Unrest. 

Churchill, Winston, A Far Cotmtry. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 
1915. A portrayal of modern industry in its unsocial and 
anti-social phases. 

Cook, George, The Chasm. Frederick A. Stokes Co., N. Y.. 
1910. An attack upon capitalism with socialism offered 
as a solution. 

Dreiser, Theodore, The Financier. Harper & Bros., N. Y., 
1912. Portrays the menace of big business. 

The Titan Harper & Bros., John Lane Co., N. Y., 

1914. A sequel to "The Financier," and deals with the 
same problem of big business, 

Gl%spell, Susan, The Visioning. Frederick A. Stokes Co., 
N. Y., 1911. An attack on capitalism. 

Harrison, Henry Sydnor, Queed. Houghton Mifflin Co.. 
N. Y., 1911. Shows benefits to be derived from applying 
sociological principles to modern problems. 

Herrick, Robert, Clark's Field. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1914. 
Deals with capitalism in its relation to other social prob- 
lems. 

A Life for a Life. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1910. 

Shows the failure of capitalism. 

Howard, George F. B., God's Man. Bobbs Merrill Co., In- 
dianapolis, 1915. A picture of New York as dominated 
by greed and money and the effect of this aspect on those 
who come in contact with it. 

Hughes, Rupert, The Thirteenth Commandment. Harper & 
Bros., N. Y., 1916. A novel showing modern social con- 
ditions in which the commandment "Thou shalt not spend 
all thou earnest," is the keynote. 
Laut, Agnes C, Neiv Daiim. Moffat Yard & Co., N. Y., 
1914'. A story which shows that modern society teaches 
many false ideals, among which is an over-emphasis of 
the importance of financial success. 
iThe books which have been reviewed in the foregoing pages are 
marked with an asterisk. 

18 



Talbot, Richard J., Chainhreakers. Roxburgh, Boston, 1914. 
The story of a minister who, driven from his church be- 
cause he refuses to use tainted money, becomes the cham- 
pion of various reform movements. 

*Tarkington, Booth, The Turmoil. Harper & Bros., N. Y., 
1915. A story which emphasizes the unsocial phases of 
big business. 

II. Labor Problems. 

Anderson, Sherwood. Marching Men. John Lane Co., N. Y., 
1917. Shows man's attempt to make from unthinking 
labor, blindly marching forward, an organized thinking 
group. 

Beehdolt, Frederick R., Hard Rock Man. Moffat Yard & 
Co., N. v., 1910. The story of an Irishman who comes 
to America, and seeks his fortune as a worker in the 
mines. 

Child, Richard W., Jim Hands. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1910. 
A simple story of factory workers and factory conditions. 

Churchill, Winston, The Dwelling Place of Light. Macmil- 
lan Co., N. Y., 1917. Deals with the problem of the social 
evil among the laboring classes, labor problems in general, 
and the connection between the two. 

Edwards, Albert, Comrade Yetta. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 
1913. The struggle between capital and labor is shown as 
the fault of the system rather than of the individual. 

*Poole, Ernest, The Harbor. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1915. 
Centers upon the relation of capital and labor with a con- 
sideration of both aspects of the problem. 

Sawyer, Ruth, Painted Horses. (Serial Story Ladies Home 
Journal.) 1917-18. Deals with the problems of the girls 
who work in department stores, and offers a solution for 
one of these problems. 

♦Sinclair,. Upton, King Coal Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1917. 
Shows the industrial and social conditions of workers in 
the coal mines, as seen by a miner. 

Waller, Mary E., Flamsted Quarries. Little & Co., N. Y., 
1910. A story of American social and industrial condi- 
tions to-day, with particular reference to quarry workers. 

Willsie, Honore, Still Jim. Frederick A. Stokes Co., N. Y., 
1915. Portrays the social phases of the reclamation 
service. 

19 



III. The Church and the Community. 

Chester, Geo. R., and Lillian, Ball of Fire. Hearst's Inter- 
national Library Co., N. Y., 1914. The story of a New 
York church and the place it should hold in the com- 
munity. 

* Churchill, Winston, The Inside of the Cup. Macraillan 
Co., N. Y,, 1913. Emphasizes the need of a socialized re- 
ligion and a socialized church. 

King, Basil, The Way Home. Harper & Bros., N. Y., 1913. 
Based upon the belief that a new type of religion is im- 
perative to meet the needs of modern society. 

Patee, Fred Lewis, The Breaking Point. Small Maynard & 
Co., Boston, 1912. Shows the need of applied Christianity. 

•Harrison, Henry Sydnor, V. V.'s Eyes. Houghton Mifflin 
Co., N. Y., 1915. Deals with the problem of capital and 
labor. 

Hughes, Rupert, Miss 318 and Mr. 37. Revell & Co., Chi- 
cago & N. Y., 1912. The employees' side of department 
store life is depicted in this novel. 

Jackson, Chas. T., My Brother's Keeper. Bobbs Merrill & 
Co., Indianapolis, 1910. A story of social conditions among 
the laboring classes, primarily mill workers. 

London, Jack, The Valley of the Moon. Macmillan Co., 
N. Y., 1913. Shows the unfair struggle for existence of the 
working classes and how one couple solved this problem. 

Nyburg, Sidney, The Chosen People. J. B. Lippincott Co., 
Philadelphia, 1917. Centers upon the social problems of 
the Jewish people, particularly the labor problem. 

O'Brien, Howard, New Men for Old. Moffatt Yard & Co., 
N. Y., 1914. A plea for altruism in dealing with labor. 

Oppenheim, James, Nine-Tenths. Harper & Bros., N. Y., 
1911. Tells of life among the "nine-tenths" who do the 
work of the world, and do not receive the benefits. 

IV. The Social Problems of Marriage and Divorce.^ 

Atherton, Gertrude F., Perch of the Devil. Frederick A. 

Stokes Co., N. Y., 1914. Attacks the divorce evil. 
Bartlett, Frederick, Trifiers. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston 

and N. Y., 1917. Shows that treating marriage lightly is a 

mistaken attitude. 
Corbin, John, The Edge. Duffield & Co., N. Y., 1915. Deals 

with marriage and married life in modern society. 
Norris, Kathleen, The Heart of Bachael. Doubleday Page & 

Co., Garden City, N. Y., 1916. An arraignment of divorce. 

20 



Poole, Ernest, His Family. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1917. 
Deals with the problems of socialized education and the 
social aspect of the family. 

V. The Feminist Movement. 

Foremen, Justus Miles, Opening Door. Harper & Bros., 
N. Y., 1913. A rational interpretation of what the suf- 
frage movement should mean. 

Harrison, Henry S., Angela's Business. Houghton Mifflin 
Co., Boston and N. Y., 1915. Centers upon the relation of 
the ' ' new woman ' ' to the home. 

Hughes, Rupert, Clipped Wings. Harper Bros., N. Y., 1916. 
A story of the stage involving the relation of woman's 
professional career to her home life. 

Lewis, Sinclair, Job. Harper & Bros., N. Y., 1917. Deals 
with the problem of the woman who marries to get rid 
of her "job." 

Peattie, Ella W., The Precipice. Houghton Mifflin Co., Bos- 
ton and N. Y., 1914. A portrayal of different types of 
modern women resulting from the new woman's move- 
ment. 

Webster, H. K.. The Real Adventure. Bobbs Merrill & Co., 
Indianapolis, 1916. The problem is that of the "new 
woman" in the home. 

VI. "Problem Novels" and Fiction Dealing with the Responsi- 
bility of Parents. 

Hamilton, Cosmo, Sins of the Children. Little & Co., N. Y., 
1916. Points out the danger of ignorance of sex questions 
and the parents' responsibility. 

Kauffman, Reginald W., House of Bondage. Moffat Yard & 
Co., 1910. Deals with the white slave traffic and related 
problems. 

Sentence of Silence. Moffatt Yard & Co., N. Y., 

1912. Shows the evil that is done to children through si- 
lence on sex matters. 

Oppenheim, James, IVild Oats. B. W. Heubsch, N. Y., 1910. 
Brings out the need of education of future generations 
concerning the dangers of the social evil. 

'Section IV., V., and VI. of the bibliography represent fiction dealing 
with social problems of the family. "While these are important, limited 
space has made it impossible to include them in this monograph except in 
the bibliography. 

21 



VII. Immigration and Americanization. 

Allen, Frances N. S., The Invaders. Houghton Mifflin Co., 
Boston and N. Y., 1913. Centers upon the invasion of a 
New England village by the Slavic and Celtic immigrants. 

Cahan, Abraham, Rise of David Lavinsky. Harper & Bros., 
N. Y., 1917. The autobiography of a Russian Jewish im- 
migrant. 

Kingsley, Mrs. Florence, Francesca. Richard G. Badger, The 
Gorham Press, Boston, 1911. Depicts America's recep- 
tion of Italian immigrants in New York. 

Roof, Kathrine M., Strangers at the Hearth. Small Maynard 
& Co., Boston, 1916. Shows the de-Americanizing effect 
of the immigrant on America. 

*Miniter, Edith, Our Nat^ipski Neighbors. Henry Holt & 
Co., N. Y., 1916. Tells of the Americanization of a Polish 
immigrant family. 

Sheldon, Charles M., Of One Blood. Small Maynard & Co., 
Boston, 1916. A condemnation of race-prejudice and a 
plea for universal brotherhood. 

*Tobenkin, Elias, Witte Arrives. Frederick A. Stokes Co., 
N. Y., 1916. The story of a Russian Jewish immigrant's 
experience in America. 

VIII. The Negro Problem and Other Southern Social Problems. 

Church, J. W., Deep in Piney Woods. Crowell Publishing 
Co., Springfield, 0., 1910. Discusses the Negro problems 
in connection with the turpentine industry. 

Dawson, Frances W., The Scar. Small Maynard & Co., Bos- 
ton, 1910. A study of the social conditions of the native 
southern whites. 

*Thanet, Octave, By Inheritance. Bobbs Merrill Co., In- 
dianapolis, 1910. Deals with the problem of education in 
relation to the Negro. 

IX. Criminology. 

*Kussy, Nathan, The Abyss. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1918. 

Tells of society's responsibility for the making of a 

criminal. 
Edwards, Albert, A Man's World. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 

1912. A story in which criminological and ethical prob 

lems are emphasized. 
*London, Jack, The Star Rover. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1915. 

Deals with the need of prison investigation and reform 

of conditions. 

22 



Moroso, John Antonio, The Quarry. Little & Co., 1913. 
Points out the power for evil which may be concealed in 
an institution of justice. 

Scanlon, Horace W., The Wicked John Goode. Geo. H. 
Doran Co., N. Y., 1917. The true story of a criminal and 
his reformation. 

X. The Liquor Problem. 

Chester, Geo. R., and Lillian, The Enemy, Hearst's Inter- 
national Library Co., N. Y., 1915. A prohibition novel 
picturing the slow mastery of liquor over the individual. 

Gull, Cyril A. E. R., The Drunkard. Sturgis & Walton, 
N. Y., 1912. Deals with alcoholism as a disease. 

*Hay, James Jr., The Man Who Forgot. Doubleday Page & 
Co., N. Y., 1915. Portrays the evils of liquor and the 
possibility of doing away with it through nation-wide pro- 
hibition. 

London, Jack, John Barleycorn. Century Co., N. Y., 1913. 
The autobiography of a drunkard showing accessibility 
of liquor to be the primary cause of the drink habit. 

Rives, Hallie E., A Long Lane's Turning. Dodd, Mead & 
Co., N. Y., 1917. Advocates prohibition and depicts the 
evils of alcoholism. 

XL The Social Newspaper. 

* Adams, Samuel H., The Clarion. Houghton Mifflin Co., 
N. Y., 1914. The story of a social newspaper, the place 
it should hold in the community, and its difficulty in 
securing actual freedom of the press. 

Bohan, Elizabeth B., Drag-Net. The C. M. Clark Pub. Co., 
Boston, 1910. Shows the work a newspaper may do 
in bringing about the reform of the penal system. 

O'Brien, Howard V., Thirty. Dodd, Mead & Co., 1915. 
Emphasizes the need of publicity to secure better social 
conditions, and the place of the press in this work, 

XII. Social Phases of Rural Life. 

*Quiek, Herbert, The Brown Mouse. Bobbs Merrill & Co., 
Indianapolis, 1915. Considers the social phases of rural 
life, dealing particularly with the rural education prob- 
lem. 

XIII. Social Conditions among the Less Fortunate Classes of 

Society. 
*Bosher. INIrs. Kate L., People Like That. Harper & Bros., 
N. Y., 1916. Shows the "good" woman's responsibility 
for her less fortunate sisters. 

23 



Kildare, 0. F., and Mrs. Leita, Such a Woman. G. W. Dil- 
lingham Co., N. Y., 1911. A picture of East Side people 
and conditions. 

Laughlin, Clara E., Just Folks. Macmillan Co., N. Y., 1910. 
Gives an insight into the lives of the poor people of the 
city. 

Ostrander, Isabel, Primal Law. Mitchell-Kennerly, N. Y., 
1915. A story dealing with society's responsibility for 
"the only way out" of a life of drudgery for the poor 
girl. 

Oyen, Henry, The Dreamer. Doubleday Page & Co., N. Y., 
1911. The struggles of a little tenement waif for exist- 
ence. 

*"Webster, Jean, Dear Enemy. Century Co., N. Y., 1915. 
A story of the reform of an orphanage. 

XIV. Miscellaneous. 

*Gilman, Mrs. Charlotte P., Moving the Mountain. Charlton 
Co., N. Y., 1911. The story of a modern Utopia in America. 



24 



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